Targeting

Michigan
Proficiency

Teacher’s Book Leaflet

By
Sylvia Kar
Introduction
The Targeting Michigan Proficiency Coursebook is a course
designed to help you prepare for the University of Michigan
Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English.
This book contains a range of activities aimed at improving
your English and helping you to prepare for the
examination. The exercises are in the style of the exam to
help you familiarize yourself with the questions you will
encounter in the actual examination. There is a range of
activities and tasks to help you improve your reading,
writing, speaking and listening skills which will give you
more confidence in the exam. In addition, each unit
introduces new vocabulary in context, as well as a chance to
revise your grammar in a systematic way.
Throughout the book there are Tip boxes with suggestions
on how to best approach certain exercises, for example
how to skim when reading, how to answer multiple choice
questions etc. There are also Exam Information boxes with
details of what to expect in each section of the exam.
At the back of this book is a glossary to revise the
vocabulary in the book.
Information on the ECPE examination:
The University of Michigan Examination for the Certificate
of Proficiency in English is for students who have achieved
the ability to communicate and understand English at the
advanced level. Candidates at this level should be able to
communicate their ideas in each of the major skill areas of
listening, reading, writing and speaking, although they may
make some errors in their use of the language.
ECPE Format and Minimum Passing Scores
Listening section: 25-30 minutes
There are three parts to the listening test with a total of 50
multiple choice questions. In Part One, candidates hear
short conversations between two people.
1. On the answer sheet there are three answer choices
given and candidates must choose the answer which
means about the same thing as what they have heard
or that is true based on what they heard.
2. In the second part of the listening test, candidates will
hear a question. After each question candidates must
choose from the three answer choices given, the one
which best answers the question.
3. In the third part of the listening test, candidates will
hear a short segment from a radio program. The
program is called ‘Learning from the Experts’. After
each talk they will be asked 5 questions. From the
three answer choices given, they must choose the one
which best answers the question according to the
information heard.
Each part of the listening is heard only once.
Pass mark: 65%
3
GCVR – Grammar, Cloze, Vocabulary and Reading section:
75 minutes
This part of the exam consists of 120 multiple choice
questions and each item is worth one mark.
This section is divided into:
Grammar - 40 questions,
Cloze - 20 questions,
Vocabulary - 40 questions,
Reading - 20 questions
In the Grammar section, candidates must select a word or
phrase to complete a sentence so that it is grammatically
correct. Many of the questions are in the form of short
conversations and use a mixture of formal and informal
language.
In the Cloze section candidates are asked to read two
passages and then select the word that best fills the blank
in both grammar and meaning.
In the Vocabulary section, candidates must choose a word
or phrase that best completes the meaning and context of
the sentence.
In the Reading section, candidates are asked to read four
different passages each followed by 5 questions.
Pass mark: 65%
Writing section: 30 minutes
In this section candidates have a choice of 2 essay topics and
must write on one only an essay of approximately 250-350
words or the length of one page. The essay is in response to
an issue which is presented. Candidates should be able to
express their ideas clearly enough to be generally
understandable. To pass candidates must get a score of at
least C on a 5-point scale (A-E).
Speaking section: 25-35 minutes
The speaking section tests a candidate’s ability to speak
English in a face-to-face conversation. The interview consists
of five stages. After the introductory first stage (warm-up),
candidates are asked to summarize and recommend one of
two options, reach a consensus, present, justify and defend
their one, final option.
To pass, candidates must achieve a score of at least C (Low
Pass), on a scale ranging from A (Honors) to E (Fail).
ECPE Results
Individual section scores to be averaged toward the final
score for the ECPE.
As of 2014, test takers will receive a scaled numeric score for
all four sections of each exam; test takers whose average
score for all four sections is equal to 650 or higher will pass
the exam and receive a certificate.
3
 THE ECPE SPEAKING TEST General Information

 Consists of 5 stages.
 Lasts anywhere between 25-35 min. for the paired format (2 candidates, 2 examiners)
 1 examiner for stages 1-3 - another examiner for stages 4-5
 Examiners participate mostly in Stages 1 and 5.

Stage 1: Warm up stage

 Introductions and small talk (general topics: friends, hobbies, hometown, family, profession, etc.).
 Lasts 3-5 minutes.
 Goal is to establish rapport between candidates through introductions and friendly conversation.
 Here Examiner 1 participates.

Stage 2: Summarizing and Recommending

 Each candidate given information sheet with descriptions of 2 options (4 options between the
two candidates).
 Candidates keep the information sheet and may even make notes.
 Given 2-3 minutes to read and understand information
 Then, take turns summarizing the descriptions of their options to the other candidate, not read it
to him/her.
 The summarizations must be listened to carefully because the candidates will make a
recommendation to their partner of the best option from the two presented, by the partner.
Candidates may take notes as the partner is summarizing.
 Then each candidate chooses one of his own options and thinks of reasons why the chosen
option is best. (All answers and options are correct. There are no right or wrong options).
 The goal of stage 2 = learn what the options are
= make a recommendation
= choose one of their own options silently
 Lasts 5-7 minutes.

Stage 3: Consensus Reaching

 5-7 minutes duration
 Candidates report to their partner the option they chose.
 They compare and contrast the options and discuss advantages and disadvantages of each.
 Still can’t see partner’s information sheet.
 The goal of stage 3 is to come to an agreement on one single option for both of them.

Stage 4: Presenting and Convincing

 5-7 minutes duration
 Candidates present option they have chosen to Examiner 2 who has the role of a person of high
status related to the options. (For example, he might be the boss of the company who wants to
hire an employee).
 Candidates have 2-3 minutes to plan a short presentation. Now they may look at each other’s
information sheets.
 Each candidate presents 2 reasons for choosing his particular option and explains why the
reasons are important.
 The goal of stage 4 is to convince Examiner 2 that their option is the best one.

Stage 5: Justifying and Defending

 Duration 5-7 minutes
 Examiner 2 questions the decision of the candidates.
 The goal of stage 5 is to address the examiner’s challenges and justify their decision.

4
16
Picture related topics

1. Who is your favorite actor / actress?

2. What kind of movies do you prefer? Related Vocabulary

Why?
• good directing
3. How often do you go to the mov- • cheap production
ies? • wrong casting of char-
acters and parts
4. Why do you think movie going is • poor script
such a popular form of enter- • overdone theme
• fresh views
tainment?
• too much violence /
bloodshed
5. Do you think age plays any role • overacted
in the movies people choose to • extreme situations
see? What else may influence • good musical score
such a decision?

Topic

Some friends are coming over for pizza

and a movie. Each person has
expressed a particular choice. Assess all
the information and arrive at which
movie you’ll all be watching.

Movie Night

Candidate 1 Candidate 2
Information Sheet Information
Sheet
Iron Man 3
• good cast (R. Downey Jr., G. Despicable Me 2
Paltrow, G. Pearce, B. Kingsley) • animation movie
• very expensive production • for all ages
• has violence • high ratings
• has good directing • a fun night out
• action-packed • must have seen part 1
• excellent effects

Snow White and the Huntsman

• light adventure and fantasy “The Hobbit – The Desolation of
• a twist to a well-known fairytale Smaug”
• good actors • excellent cast of characters
• girls will like this more • the second of 3 films
• has romance • must have seen the 1st part
• very good effects
• an expensive production

UNIT 1 5
 Speaking

Related Vocabulary

• backpacking
• suitcase
• baggage
• package tour
• guided tour
• tour guide
• monuments
• landmarks
• sights
• economy fare
• youth hostel
• rail travel
• student fares
• ancient ruins

Topic:

You and your best friend have the task

of finding the ideal place for your class
to go on a week-long exchange pro-
gram, to any city in Europe. Assess all
the information to arrive at a choice.

Travel to Europe

Candidate 1 Candidate 2
Information Sheet Information Sheet

Venice, Italy Amsterdam, Holland

• can go by ship • can fly direct
• cheaper • find special group rates
• expensive city • famous wax museum
• beautiful buildings • very colorful in spring
• lots of museums • not too expensive
• famous landmarks • stay in youth hostels
• unique city - historical

Budapest, Hungary Dublin, Ireland

• will be very economical • expensive plane fare
• lovely architecture • cooler weather
• historical city • very similar to us as people
• excellent food • not so easy to understand
• friendly to tourists their speech
• good service • unspoiled natural beauty

6 UNIT 2
 Speaking

Exam information

In the first part of the interview you talk about your-

self. To capture the examiners' attention, you might
want to say something like:
• I am a bored 20- year-old … (But be prepared to
explain why you are bored)
• I am an avid movie goer.
• I consider myself quite artistic.
• I am afraid I am overly social.

Try to avoid the usual:

Related Vocabulary
• I am 16 years old …
• blood
• I have a brother who is 6 …
• cells
• My father is a lawyer … • blood type A, B, AB,
• My mother is a housewife etc., etc. … O
• needle
Topic • dizzy
• faint
Your school is organizing a volunteer community pro- • veins
gram. They want everyone in the community to become • arteries
involved. Assess all the information to arrive to a choice • blood clot
of what event your community will take part in. • blood pressure
• sterile
• band-aid
Community Work
• cotton balls
• sterilized gauze
Candidate 1 Candidate 2
Information Sheet Information Sheet

Blood donation Clean a park

• blood is always needed • everyone, even young children
• may save a life can take part
• many people afraid of needles • good lesson for children
• may not have volunteers • out in fresh air
• must educate people on blood dona- • clean an area which everyone can
tion enjoy
• some people don’t like the idea of
collecting garbage

Volunteer work in hospital Tree planting

• clean rooms
• take patients for walks
• serve food
• drive older patients to see doctors
• learn first aid
• play with child patients
• keep company with older patients
• will be outdoors
• whole mountainside needs planting
• involves hard work digging holes
• provide cleaner air for certain areas
• forests are for everyone
• source of life

UNIT 3 7
Comparison and Contrast Vocabulary for the Oral Interview
Since your task in the speaking section of stages 2 – 5 will be to summarize, recommend, present,
justify and defend, you will need to compare and contrast the two choices you are given. The
vocabulary below will come in useful.

Learn comparison and contrast vocabulary:

Comparison Contrast
both ______ and ______ to resemble -er than although
neither ______ nor ________ to be the same as more than whereas
not only ______ but also to be similar to less than while
similarly to be equal to fewer than however
in the same way comparable to not as as on the other hand
likewise to be as ______ as contrasts with on the contrary
correspondingly differs from unlike
like / to be like is different from

Following is a list of general topics. With a partner make a comparison and contrast
of each of the topics. Use the comparison and contrast vocabulary.

1. two different types of homes – 5. two different types of entertainment

apartment/family home 6. two types of Greek food
2. two books you’ve read 7. two cities you’ve been to
3. two of your friends 8. two countries you’ve been to / read
4. two different restaurants about
9. two different ways of travel

For better consolidation of the comparison and contrast vocabulary, pick two of the topics you
liked best and write a paragraph comparing and contrasting each topic.

Read the following example: Two Friends

Brainstorming
George Henry

• introverted and shy • is the life of the party

• faithful and trustworthy • social and outgoing
• doesn’t like crowds • very faithful
• excellent student • school comes second to socializing
• is very giving • not very ambitious

Example Paragraph

Two of my classmates are George and Henry. While George is very shy and doesn’t like crowds,
Henry is very social and outgoing and likes to be the center of attention. Both are very faithful and I
would trust them with my secrets. In addition, they are very giving and always available when I need
something like help, advice or just a friendly shoulder to lean on. Whereas George is an excellent
student, Henry puts socializing first and school comes second. He has different priorities than George
does.

8 UNIT 4
Warm-up stage: In the first part of the interview the examinee must talk about himself and answer
personal questions and develop rapport between himself and the second candidate. This part helps to
break the ice. Examiner 1 helps instigate conversation and guide it.

Talking about personality-useful vocabulary you might need: giving, trustworthy, selfish, un-
grateful, gentle, kind, sensitive, over confident, low profile, easy going, ambitious /hardworking, lazy,
social /outgoing /extrovert /outspoken, shy /introvert, optimist / pessimist, opportunist.

I’m the sort of person who… I find… interesting/ dull/fun I’m open to …
I’m not the type who… I’m basically… It’s not that I don’t like … but …
I really enjoy…/I can’t stand I refuse to … I’ll go out of my way to...

Talking about school/future

• I attend a private/state school • I want to get a degree in … • I’ve been working for …
• I’m presently in junior/senior • I want to study abroad … • I can’t find work in my field
high school • I’ll be taking university en- of expertise …
• I’m attending the 3rd grade of trance exams … • The job market is saturated
senior high school • I want to study/ train to be … …
• I’m in University/attend uni- • I graduate this year … • It’s tough trying to find a
versity … • I want to study languages … job …

Possible questions you might want to prepare for:

1. Are you a student? What year/grade are you 6. Do you have any siblings?
in? 7. How do you get along with them?
2. What is your favorite/worse subject? Why? 8. How do you make your living? /What field
3. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? are you in?
4. What are your future plans? 9. Are you happy with your job? Why/ why not?
5. Will you be taking the university entrance 10. What would you rather be doing?
exams? How would you change these exams
if you could?
First and Foremost: • Don’t be INTIMIDATED by the other examinee
• You don’t care how good or bad he or she is
• You just do your part. The examiners will know who can do the re-
quired tasks and who can’t. Let them be the judges and don’t try to
show the other examinee up.
Learn to introduce yourself. This stage no one should have problems with, since it’s not really
new. In order to feel comfortable with the other examinee whom you may not know, pretend that
you are at a cafeteria and you are making a new acquaintance. In such a case you would introduce
yourself and make small talk. This is exactly what is required of you.

Possible My name is … … and I’m a … …year old … …student.

Introductions: I’m … …and I’m an … …I work for … …
I come from a family of … …persons and my hometown is … …
My mother is a … …and my father is a … …
I have … …siblings, who are all older than I am.
My best friend is my … …
I don’t like living in Athens, I’d rather live in … …
With a classmate, practice introducing yourself and talking about yourself.

UNIT 5 9
 Speaking

Picture related topics.

1. Do you wear jewelry? Why/Why

not?
2. Why do you think man has
always been so pre-occupied
with jewelry, gold, and precious
stones?
3. Do you think jewelry is a status
symbol?

Topic:

Your sister is getting married and you

and your brother want to get her a piece
of jewelry that she will cherish forever,
Related Vocabulary
and which will remind her of her special
• stones • materialistic
day. Decide which piece she would be
• gems • sapphire
most happy with. • treasure • gold rush
• priceless • gold
• semi-precious stones • ring
• mining • necklace
• status symbol • earrings
• emerald • bracelet
• mine • gold mining

The Right Gift

Candidate 1 Candidate 2
Information Sheet Information Sheet

A Gold Ring Pearl Necklace

• she wears rings • very conservative
• she likes blue sapphires • every girl should have one
• there’s a good sale on gold rings • very appropriate for a wedding
• most of her rings = silver • quite expensive
• she may think it' s too formal • status symbol

Expensive Watch Silver Bracelet

• she needs a watch • very modern
• get it engraved • quite heavy
• most useful • can be worn all the time
• she’ll wear it every day • she likes silver
• more her age and style

10 UNIT 6
 Speaking

Topic

You and your best friend want to try

something daring and exciting for a
change. You are researching some
extreme sports so you can reach a deci-
sion.

Dangerous Hobbies

Candidate 1 Candidate 2
Information Sheet Information Sheet

Bungee Jumping Rock Climbing

• don’t need equipment
• cheaper than other • should have good
extreme sports
• can hurt your back
• many locations avail-
able
• need equipment
partner
• can be done almost
anywhere in this
country
• can be dangerous
• must know how to
use safety equipment
• very good exercise

Paragliding Parkour
• need to take lessons • must be in good
first shape
• expensive hobby • helps you get around
• can be dangerous with no expense
• no second chances if • can be lots of fun
something goes • many young people
wrong are interested
• exciting to soar like a • it’s the new fashion
bird • can be dangerous
• need to travel to find
appropriate location

UNIT 7 11
 Speaking

Choosing the Right Career

Topic Candidate 1 Candidate 2

Information Sheet Information Sheet
You and your best friend
Laboratory Technician Veterinarian
will be attending a Careers
• like doing research • must like animals
Day Happening at the local • scientifically-minded • must be available all
College. You are interested • may make a medical dis- hours
in the same things and plan covery – breakthrough • can be dangerous
to go to University together. • laboratory work interest- • can make a good living
ing • need to set up an office
Decide which career appeals • may bring home germs • need money to start off
to both of you most. • like to experiment

Teacher Police Work

• long summers and holi- • can be dangerous
days • long hours/ night shifts
• must like kids • low salary
• must have the ability to • can be rewarding helping
explain things to others people
• it’s a talent • must be willing to sacri-
• can be nerve racking fice personal life
• don’t make much money

12 UNIT 8
 Speaking

Unexplained Phenomena

Topic Candidate 1 Candidate 2

Information Sheet Information Sheet
You have been assigned to
do research and write an Stonehenge Flying Saucers
essay on one of the 4 topics • ancient Druid temple in England • do they exist?
• perfectly cut stones • many people claim to have seen
listed below. You and your
• no technology at that time one
partner are very interested • no such large stones in the area • there seem to be pictures
in unexplained phenomena. • mystery how such large structure • is there life in other galaxies?
Decide which one you will was built • egotistical to think we’re the only
choose for your assignment. living beings

Bermuda Triangle The Philadelphia Experiment

• in the North Atlantic • failed US Navy experiment
• also known as the Devil’s • associated with time travel
Triangle • the crew of the ship all suffered
• aircraft and ships have been said • some men disappeared
to disappear • the ship disappeared for 4 hours
• connected to Atlantis or UFOs • still a mystery as to what really
• supernatural element? happened
• possibly a manufactured mystery

UNIT 9 13
 Speaking

Business Dinner
Topic Candidate 1 Candidate 2
Information Sheet Information Sheet

One of your best friends from high Have a Barbeque 5-star Restaurant
school has looked you up and may • you have a nice yard • want to impress friend
have a good job offer for you. You • your boyfriend/ girlfriend • it will be expensive
have not seen each other for 15 is good at barbequing • it may be too impersonal
• it won’t be expensive • excellent food and service
years and you want to make a good
• your friend may feel • you’ll have privacy
impression because your friend is uncomfortable with some- • your friend is a little
the president of a very large fami- one else there snobbish and will like it
ly-owned company. You have to • have to clean up after-
decide what to do for dinner. wards

Local “Taverna” Cook a Home Meal

• maybe too informal • show you want to please
• excellent food and wine your guest
• relatively cheap • you’re not a very good
• no cleaning up cook
• can go have coffee at • it will cost less
home • you’ll need to clean up
the house beforehand
• you’ll have privacy
14 UNIT 10
 Speaking

Topic

The United Nations Heritage Program is hold-

ing a competition. They want students from
all over the world to pick out which site from
around the globe they consider the most
famous ancient site, in the world. You and
your classmates are trying to make a choice
from the 4 sites listed below.

Heritage

Candidate 1 Candidate 2
Information Sheet Information Sheet

The Egyptian The Parthenon

Pyramids • the pride of Athens
• world’s oldest mon- • most important
umental structures building of Classical
• dating back to 2600 Greece
BCE • symbol of ancient
• largest structures Greek civilization
ever build • built in the reign of
• built as tombs for Pericles
pharaohs • among the world’s
• listed among the greatest monuments
Seven Wonders of • finest example of
the Ancient World architecture
• buildings with many
representations and
symbolism

Machu Picchu Easter Island

• Inca site in Peru • Polynesian island
• dating back to 1450 considered a World
• icon of the Inca civi- Heritage Site
lization • discovered by Dutch
• relatively intact cul- explorer
tural site • 887 monumental
• seems like it was statues scattered all
abandoned over- over the island
night • most face away from
• discovered acciden- the ocean to protect
tally the people
• still being restored • a representation of
today ancestors or sacred
• among the New spirits
Seven Wonders of
the World

UNIT 11 15
 Speaking

Topic

An upcoming Hollywood Director wants to cast

the leading female role for his new romantic com-
edy. He wants the opinion of movie-goers world-
wide to help him choose. The part calls for a
sweet, sensitive character, to portray Andrea,
who is a baby-sitter. With a friend decide who you
think would be the best choice from the 4 famous
candidates.

Role Casting

Candidate 1 Candidate 2
Information Sheet Information Sheet

Natalie Portman Scarlett Johansson

• Academy Award • has played such a
winner role
• looks young enough • may be too
to be a baby-sitter sexy-looking for the
• has a sweet look part
which makes her • excellent actress
look young and suit- though no Academy
able Award
• has a sensitiveness • fans love her
to her • would have to
• male fans love her become a brunette
for the part

Angelina Jolie Cate Blanchett

• might be too old • has won an
• has won an Academy Award
Academy Award • top Hollywood
• too womanish and actress
not girlish enough • may not suit a
• more suited to an baby-sitter role
adult role • could be a little too
• fans love her old
• she’s very expensive • too feminine for the
part
• most expensive of
the actresses
16 UNIT 12
 Speaking

Topic

Summer is just around the corner

and you and your friend want to
get into shape. You are trying to
make a choice of which exercise
regimen to follow, Look at the
four choices and decide which
sport or program would suit you
best.

Exercise Plan

Candidate 1 Candidate 2
Information Sheet Information Sheet

Take up Tennis Join the community center exercise program

• has a membership of $100.00
• always need a partner
• must buy a racket and balls
• get good sport shoes
• just around the corner from your homes
• excellent tennis instructor available
• minimal fee of $50.00 per year
• different program every day
• open 9am to 9pm
• can attend as often as you like
• don’t need a partner
• equipment is available

Become members at the local swimming pool Take up rock climbing

• monthly fee of $50.00
• swimming is excellent exercise
• only afternoon hours available for adults
• can go alone if one of you is busy
• very close to home
• very vigorous exercise
• needs strong arms and legs
• gets you into great shape
• builds up your endurance
• cost is $60.00 per month
• need to get equipment
• meet many interesting people

UNIT 13 17
 Speaking

1. What do you think living conditions were like at

the time of the cave men?
2. If a person from that period found himself in this
century, what do you think would make the big-
gest impression on him?
3. Do you think he would want to go back to his old
life? Why/why not?

Topic
Man has come a long way since the days of cave liv-
ing. For your science project you have to decide which
of the following developments has helped make peo-
ple’s lives easier and present a paper on your choice.

Evolution

Candidate 1 Candidate 2
Information Sheet Information Sheet

Electricity Penicillin
• even the simplest gad- • saved millions of lives
gets need electricity • people are safe from
• light changed man’s many life-threatening
life germs
• brought about other • we over-use it
important develop- • germs are becoming
ments immune
• causes pollution • must find substitutes
• waste products are
harmful
• radiation a problem

Transplant surgery The Automobile

• saves millions of lives • changed people’s lives
• gives people a second • could move around
chance easily
• not enough parts • moved to suburbs
• transplant parts sold • may be a status sym-
to the highest bidder bol or luxury item
• unethical in such • expensive
cases
• need volunteer donors

18 UNIT 14
 Speaking

Topic
You are trying to find the perfect Maths tutor, to give you private lessons,
to help you get into university. Below are 4 possible options, 2 for each
candidate. Choose the best one based on the characteristics as described
by other students and parents. Read the options.

Maths Tutor

Candidate 1 Candidate 2
Information Sheet Information Sheet

Alan Bates Jackie Higgins

• very good looking • 50 years old

• very friendly • has worked as a math’s teacher for 25 years
• never punctual • works her students to the ground
• very creative lesson plans • very motherly
• loves teaching • good reputation with students and parents
• is a recent graduate • can be boring
• his students have a 100% success rate • has no children so loves her students

Angela Evans Jeremy Ironed

• finished her Master’s degree with honors • very energetic teacher

• very shy with students • has 4 kids of his own
• all her private students got into good universi- • may forget to use deodorant
ties • doesn’t like weak students
• not very creative • knows how to get an idea across
• assigns a lot of homework • expects excellence
• has lost her students’ papers • likes to drink
• loves her job

UNIT 15 19